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Incitement Bill Update Latest news on the Governments plans for an Incitement to Religious Hatred Offence. |
The Government has suffered a massive defeat in the House of Lords over its religious hatred plans. Peers voted by 260 to 111 to introduce safeguards to the Bill.
View the Lords' voting figures.
Under the Lords' amendment: nobody can be found guilty of the new religious hatred law unless it is proved they intended to stir up hatred; only threatening words would be banned by the Bill, not those which are only abusive or insulting; there would be a specific part of the Bill saying the law should not restrict evangelism, discussion, criticism of expressions of antipathy, dislike, ridicule, insult or abuse of particular religions or beliefs.
We would rather not have the Bill at all. But, due to the political situation involving the Government's threat to use the Parliament Act, this amendment is the best thing on offer. This Lords vote is a good result.
There will be a crucial vote in the Commons probably within a month's time.
The amendment could yet be removed in the Commons, but the Lords' majority of 149 is highly impressive and it will put huge pressure on the Government. We believe this large Lords vote is due, in no small part, to the high level of Christian pressure on the political parties.
(To see the thousands of supporters rallying outside Parliament on the 11th of October, view our photo gallery.)
Even if the Government does win when the Bill goes back to the Commons, it is important that the majority is as small as possible. Every MP's vote counts. It is, therefore, vital that Christians contact their MP and strongly urge him or her to support the Lords' amendment.
For tips on contacting your MP, plus other helpful information, use our resources.
